Congress aware they won't form government, why announce a leader: Arun Jaitley

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Arun Jaitley on Friday said that the Congress knew they will not be forming a government, and that is why there was no point to announce a potential leader.

"I think it's the recognition of reality, since Congress knows they won't form the government, so why announce a potential leader," said Jaitley.

Jaitley's reaction came after the Congress had on Thursday announced that party Vice President Rahul Gandhi will not be named as the party's prime ministerial candidate, but will lead the party's election campaign. Although, the Congress Working Committee (AICC), did not name the prime ministerial nominee for the party.

Senior Congress leader Janardhan Dwivedi on Thursday had said that there was a discussion on Rahul Gandhi as many felt he should be named the party's prime ministerial candidate, however president Sonia Gandhi intervened in between, saying that 'it is not the tradition of the Congress that just because some party has declared their candidate, doesn't mean we should too'.

However there was consensus at the AICC meeting that the Congress campaign for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections will be led by Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi.

"This meeting of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) declares that 2014 General Elections campaign will be led by Rahul Gandhi," Dwivedi told media after the Congress Party meeting.

Dwivedi also quoted Rahul as saying, "I am loyal party worker. I will carry out whatever responsibility is given to me.